BETTER KNOW A BUSINESS
SEA CLIFF RESIDENT'S HANDCRAFTED PEACE SOAP OFFERS NATURAL ALTERNATIVE THAT NOURISHES THE BODY AND FREES THE SPIRIT
|
Tucked back at the end of a long walkway on Sea Cliff Avenue in the center of the village sits Peace Soap, a garage transformed into a shop, which upon entering you will be greeted by a rainbow of colors and melange of fragrances emanating from the artisan soaps of the same name, as well as by a warm welcome from the shop's owner, Sea Cliff resident, Diane Bard.
As Ms. Bard, formally a floral designer, explains it, she was introduced to soap making by an old high school friend who had moved to an upstate farm. While there on a visit, her buddy suggested they make some soap, and although finding the suggestion a bit unusual, she took her up on it, and found the experience quite relaxing. Building off that introduction to crafting basic soaps, and then further researching the art of soap making, Ms. Bard started integrating other natural ingredients such as lavender, oatmeal, and patchouli into her recipes. And now, this "Soap Master Alchemist" has developed dozens of varieties of soaps using different ingredients to affect their fragrance, coloring, and texture. The unique design of the soap, the top of which resembles the pointy waves of a meringue, she explains, she developed through experimentation. The handmade soaps, Peace Soap's website reads, use "a combination of olive, coconut, and soybean or palm oil for their abilities to heal, moisturize and nourish the skin while producing a rich lather.... According to recipe, the soap may include essential oils, fragrance oils, herbs, seeds, nuts, flowers, spices, coffee, earth clays and pigments to color.... Peace soap does not include any detergents, parabens, harsh chemicals or dyes." Among the many varieties of soap you'll find at Peacesoap, depending on the season, are Grapefruit Mandarin, Cucumber Melon, Rasberry Clove, Mulberry Woods, Cinnamon Toast, Herb Garden, Honey Almond, and Mojito. In developing the name for her product, Ms. Bard explains on her website, "wanting the soap to convey my ideals was primary... peace soap... I liked the flow... I visualized the concept of cleansing with peace soap... nourishing the body... rinsing away stress and negativity... awakening the senses... freeing the spirit... of peace unfolding into the universe." Ms. Bard first offered Peace Soap for sale at the 2010 Sea Cliff Mini Mart, and after selling out her inventory there, stepped up production in her kitchen and was soon selling at craft shows and fairs, at Whole Foods, and now through a website. She opened her Sea Cliff Avenue location in January 2013. During the late fall, the Peace Soap shop is transformed into a "funky" Holiday Boutique where crafts by local artists, such as candles, pocketbooks, paintings, and pottery, are sold. Ms. Bard explains that Peace Soap is exactly what she wants to be doing. "It's nice work," says Ms. Bard. "Everyone could use it. 'Peace Soap' - it's just so nice to hear. This is just enough." A Cash Mob will be descending on Peace Soap on Saturday, April 26th. CLICK HERE FOR A LINK THE PEACESOAP WEBSITE http://www.knowpeacesoap.com/knowpeacesoap.com/Home.html |
|
